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Youth Parliament Pakistan: Third Session
We have to set our own house in order: Ambassador Tariq Fatemi talks the Youth Parliament Pakistan on Pak-Us Relations

Islamabad, February 22, 2009: Talking on the subject of Pak-US Relations in the last sitting of the third session, the youth parliament hosted Ambassador Tariq Fatemi, Former Ambassador to the USA and EU. Ambassador Fatemi shared his personal experiences in the Foreign service; gave his expert analysis and a holistic overview of Pak-US foreign policy. He said that the prevailing Anti-US sentiment can be explained by the undemocratic political forces, which have been carrying out a unilateral perusal of foreign policy by simply gulping down the US dictates. By doing this, he said that the leaders did not only compromise national interest of the country and left us in a diplomatic lurch void of friends, but they are also to blame for the prevailing anti- US sentiment among the people. He said that although Pakistan had been facing unpalatable options in the realm of foreign policy owing to the lack of friends in the international community, the decision of going to war on terror could have been pursued in closer conjunction with our national interest had the government of the day responded to the phone call from Washington in a democratic manner. He said that while relationships are inherently unbalanced among unequal adversaries, US is not to blame for the lack of homework before giving in to the US pressure. He said that only an elected government and its democratic apparatus can carve out a productive relationship between Pakistan and US.

Ambassador Fatemi explained the essentials of foreign policy to the youth parliament. He said that a policy decision cannot disconnect the will of the people in a democratic thought process since that is the essence of an enduring foreign policy; secondly, the policy should be in consonance with both the will of the people and the national interest of the country. Thirdly he proposed that Pakistan should spread out its wings and establish multi-centric ties with the US to improve its diplomatic relations since US in itself is a multi-centric country in which all decisions are taken through elaborate analysis and considerations done by numerous players and institutions. Fourthly, Pakistan should also extend relationships to American research institutions and think tanks in order to positively influence its opinion builders; likewise Pakistani media should reach out to the US Media and lastly the voting block of Pakistani diasporas should be assimilated to influence US decision making.

In depth analysis of Ambassador Tariq Fatemi left the members mesmerised. The lecture followed a Q&A session in which members mainly asked the guest of his opinion on the current Pak-US relationship regarding War on Terror. To this he said it would be far too cataclysmic to even consider rolling back from the presently assigned role in war on terror; moreover. He said that although Pakistan cannot take US, in his view, back to the terms of conditions, only a democratic behaviour on part of the government is the cure-all for Pakistan regarding War on Terror.

Business of the house comprised a calling attention notice moved by  Ms Maria Ishaq (YP26-Punjab07) and Ms. Sor Fabha Alvi (YP14-NWFP02) about the the statement of Richard Holbrook in which he has expressed doubt on the subservience of Pakistani military to the democratic government. Another calling attention notice over the Pakistani detainees at the Guantanamo Bay and the promise of closing down the prison camp by the new US Leadership was moved by Syed Muhammad Nishat Ul Hassan Kazmi (YP20-Punjab01) and Mr. Ahmed Javed (YP23-Punjab04).  Both the notifications were unanimously condemned in the house by both the parties.

Standing Committee of Finance, Planning Affairs and Economics presented an Energy Crisis Report in the house while the Standing Committee on Education, Health and Environment presented a report on Education Policy. Both these reports were unanimously accepted and passed by the house.

Fourth session of the Youth Parliament is scheduled to take place from Wednesday April 29 till Sunday May 03, 2009.

Youth Parliament Secretariat, PILDAT or the sponsors of the Youth Parliament do not endorse or oppose the views and opinions expressed in the Youth Parliament of Pakistan. Conversely, the contents and arguments floored in the Youth Parliament of Pakistan are those of the MYPs alone and have no influence of or by any entity what so ever. 

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